Big games on tap if teams can avoid more virus cancellations
As we begin the new year there are several things reverberating in every hockey coach’s mind.
First, there are some very interesting and telling games on Monday. It’s early and yet it is time to be positioning for division titles and tournament seedings.
Possibly the strongest emotion everyone feels is anxiety.
As this virus continues to roll across the athletic landscape, the fear of cancellations is evident.
Several schools have already canceled a few games. Hun and both the Lawrenceville boys and girls teams have canceled three games each.
“The first week of the New Year Lawrenceville will be conducting classes virtually,” said Tripp Welborne, the Big Red Athletic Director. “In lieu of this decision, and in an abundance of caution, there will be no athletic practices or competitions during that virtual learning time period.”
Hun students are scheduled to return this week, but with protocols to follow and hope is to be back on the ice by Jan. 12.
Princeton Day has a huge week ahead with three games.
The Panthers have a rematch with Pope John, which defeated them earlier, then Mid-Atlantic Hockey League rival Hill and they finish up with another Gordon Conference game against Bergan Catholic.
There are some very important Colonial Valley Conference games on Monday that will go a long way to decide the Colonial Division champion.
The showdown between two of the CVC’s best is set for 6 p.m. with No. 1 Princeton (71-1) facing No. 2 Robbinsville/ Allentown (6-1) at the Mercer County Skating Center.
The Tigers have won three straight since a rough 19-0
loss to Livingston and appear to be back on track.
Senior John Zammit and junior Cooper Zullo has been the offensive leaders as both has nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points and Dan Prokoshin has been the anchor in the nets.
Those three skaters are not all the Tigers have as they bring a lot of depth.
“It’s nice playing three lines and six defense, it gives us a lot of energy come the 3rd period,” said Princeton coach Dave Hansen. “A lot of teams we play have two lines and come 3rd period they have no legs. All of our lines contribute nicely and starting to understand how to play all three zones.”
Hansen knows a fast start along with some solid defense will be the key.
“Dan (Prokoshin) has been our backbone of the team playing in net,” said Hansen. “Defense wins championships,
offense wins games, that will be our game plan.”
Dan Bergan, the R/A coach, has seen enough of Princeton over the years to know the level of play they bring to the ice.
“They have such talent over there,” admitted Bergan. “Zullo is flat out one man wrecking crew. Zammit, O’Donnell, Prokoshin, Garlock and the list goes on and on. And that’s just the first wave.”
Let’s remember R/A are the reigning CVC champion and still have a lot of talent skating.
JP Sferra has been lighting it up with 15 goals and seven assists, Jack Battistelli has 11 assists and Charlie Pallitto is a steady performer with nine goals and six assists. Zander Wiley, a sophomore, has seen most of the time between the pipes.
“I think the keys will be to simply keep our poise and
do our best to compete,” said Bergan. “This is just the first of what I hope will be three games against them. We will just try and gain ground on them inch by inch as the season moves along.”
R/A gained a lot of confidence from last year’s championship run and Princeton has been the most dominate team in the conference since 2016.
The earlier game at 4 p.m. is Hopewell Valley/Montgomery (4-3) facing off with Notre Dame (4-1).
HV/M had games canceled with Fair Lawn and Paul VI and is now ready to return to the ice for the first time in 19 days.
“We are going to have to play a disciplined, hardnosed brand of hockey and let the rest fall in place,” said HV/M coach Jeff Radice.
He knows what his troops are capable of and expects them to perform at a high
level. Mike Boyer leads with six goals and Lucas Gaissert had a team high nine points, on four goals and five assists.
If there’s a concern it is that HV/M has lost three of the last four.
The Irish have been playing well since a season opening defeated to Princeton. They have outscored the opposition 25-5 in the four game winning streak.
“I like the way the players have responded in the first part of the season,” said ND coach Mike McVey. “We haven’t played with a full roster yet this season so we are looking forward to getting everyone back. The next two weeks should be a great test for us to see where we stand.”
Senior Will Celli leads the Irish with 10 goals and along with freshman Gavin Firth, each have 12 points. Firth has a team high five assists.